Component, in particular for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle

ABSTRACT

A component, in particular for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle, is formed from solid material by extrusion molding. The component has an outside profiling on an outer surface of the component. First and second mutually opposite end faces of the component extend crosswise, in particular perpendicularly, to the outer surface. The first and second end faces are produced by milling or sawing. Thus, a simple and cost-effective production of the component can be enabled. A configuration having a component and a method for manufacturing a component are also provided.

The invention relates to a component, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle, an arrangement, more particularly for a path-bound vehicle, and a method for manufacturing a component, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle.

It is known from practice that profiled components which are part of an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle formed as a railed vehicle have to be installed with precision fit between adjacent components of the outside cladding of the railed vehicle. To this end the component has to be made with precision dimensions, thus with small or negligible error tolerances. Furthermore it is necessary that the component has a high mechanical stability in order where necessary to safely divert power flows between further components of the outside cladding adjoining the component, which can represent force-conducting components.

One method of manufacturing a component of this kind can be based on a three-dimensional (3D) milling process in which a compact three-dimensional plate is milled to the required dimensions of the component. This method of manufacture can however be linked to a great time expense with the machine hours necessary for the 3D milling device used and a high material consumption owing to the stock-removing manufacturing process. Consequently the method of manufacture can be cost-intensive.

A further method of manufacturing the component can be based on a casting process in which the component can be cast in one work step by way of example from aluminium. This method of manufacture can however also be laborious and cost-intensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide measures by means of which a simple and cost-effective manufacture of a component is possible, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle.

This is achieved by a component, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle, an arrangement, more particularly for a path-bound vehicle and a method for manufacturing a component, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle, according to the independent claims. Preferred developments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

According to the invention a component, more particularly for an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle, is provided wherein the component is made by means of extrusion molding from a solid material, wherein the component has an outside profiling on an outer surface of the component, wherein a first end face and a second end face of the component opposite the first end face extend crosswise, more particularly perpendicularly, to the outer surface and wherein the first end face and the second end face are formed by means of milling or sawing.

In the context of the present application the term “path-bound vehicle” can designate in particular a vehicle which is fixed in its drive direction or its track. More particularly, the vehicle can be moved (exclusively) bi-directionally.

The term “outside cladding” can more particularly designate an outer cover whose wall can be formed more particularly by means of the component.

The term “outside profiling” of the component can more particularly designate a shaping of a surface of the component. The outside profiling can be by way of example a recess, a groove, a hole and/or inclined or chamfered surfaces.

During manufacture or production of a component according to the invention, the in particular three-dimensionally formed component can be made with its outside profiling arranged on an outer surface by means of extrusion molding from a solid material. This can enable a particularly cost-effective and simple manufacture of the component in only one work step without any unnecessary material consumption. In a following work step which can be simple to execute, the component can be cut to length with precision measurements on a first and second end face by means of milling or sawing, thus can be cut off in one of its dimensions, by way of example in its length, width or height, in order to adapt in particular the component accurately sized to its measurements which are required for an installation. The cutting process takes place by a two-dimensional (2D) machining process which can be carried out at low cost. The component can thereby be provided with the necessary connections or connection faces for adjoining component parts.

The component can be made overall simply and particularly cost-effectively, and a cost-intensive casting process or a cost-intensive three-dimensional milling process can be avoided more particularly when manufacturing the component.

Furthermore, particularly in comparison with a casting process, as a result of the extrusion molding process used, the component can have easy-handling material properties, by way of example a sufficient bending flexibility, for its further machining and/or assembly.

More particularly, the first and second end faces can extend crosswise, more particularly perpendicularly, to a base surface of the outer surface of the component, which by way of example, seen in the cross section of the component, can be defined by an outside border, more particularly an edge, of the outer surface.

The component can have an oblong body wherein the outer surface can be a longitudinal surface of the body, wherein the first end face and the second end face can be transverse faces of the body. Alternatively, the first end face and the second end face can represent further longitudinal faces of the body which can extend crosswise, more particularly perpendicularly, to the outer surface.

The outside profiling can have a recess which can be inserted into the outer surface and extend from the first end face up to the second end face. The first and second end faces can consequently have lateral apertures which can form lateral openings for the recess. The recess can be introduced into the component by way of example for optical reasons, for aerodynamic reasons and/or for stability reasons. An extension of the recess from the first end face up to the second end face can produce a uniform outside profiling of the component along an extension direction of the component so that the component can be made in a longer length by means of extrusion molding in order then to be cut off accordingly by means of sawing or milling.

The recess can taper towards an interior of the component wherein a first boundary wall of the recess extending from the first end face up to the second end face can be curved concavely and a second boundary wall of the recess extending from the first end face up to the second end face can be formed flat. This measure can enable a particularly simple production of the component by means of extrusion molding since the first and second boundary walls can be shaped geometrically simply.

A first depth of the recess which can be measured from a first outer edge section of an edge defining the recess to a bottom of the recess can be different from a second depth of the recess which is measured from a second outer edge section of the edge to the bottom of the recess. By the term “edge” can be understood in particular a rim or rim surface. By the term “bottom” can be understood in particular a point, a line or a surface area which can be arranged at the furthest distance from the first and second edge sections seen along a depth direction of the recess. More particularly, the first and second depths can be measured along a common direction. The first depth can be smaller or greater than the second depth. This measure can have the effect that the component, seen relative to a direction which can run crosswise, more particularly perpendicularly to the depth direction of the recess, can have different width sections. The component can thereby enable an adjustment in width between adjoining different width components, more particularly of the outside cladding of the path-bound vehicle. Furthermore, the component can enable a diversion of a power flow between the different width sections of the component and/or the components adjoining these sections.

More particularly, a first section of the outer surface can be arranged adjoining the first boundary wall of the recess and comprise the first edge section, and a second section of the outer surface can be arranged adjoining the second boundary wall of the recess and comprise the second edge section. The first and second sections can in particular be designed flat and have different inclines relative to a common reference surface. The component can thereby be designed uniform along the extension of the recess so that the extrusion molding of the component can be carried out particularly cost-effectively.

The component can have a further outside profiling along a third end face of the component, wherein the further outside profiling can comprise a welding structure which can have a chamfer on an outer edge section of the third end face and a grooved further recess which can be introduced in the first end face adjacent the chamfer, wherein the chamfer and the grooved further recess can extend from the first end face up to the second end face. The welding structure can serve more particularly as a welding seam preparation for a subsequent welding process by means of which the component can be bonded by welding to an adjoining component. Welding material of a welded seam which is to be formed can thereby be introduced into the grooved further recess in order to enable a root formation for the welded seam which is to be formed. More particularly, the welding material for the welded seam which is to be formed can be placed on the chamfer in order to enable the component to be welded to the adjoining component in the region of the chamfer. A used welding device can apply heat in the region of the chamfer to the third end face in order to produce a sufficient heat transfer to the material of the welded seam which is to be formed, the component and the adjoining component. A particularly stable bonding of the component to the adjoining component can thereby be achieved.

The welding structure can have still one more recess in the third end face, wherein the still one more recess can be introduced into the third end face on a side of the grooved further recess remote from the chamfer, and can extend from the first end face up to the second end face. The one more recess can have by way of example a rectangular cross section which can be substantially constant along a depth extension of the one more recess. The heat necessary for the welding process can thereby be contained in the region of the chamfer and the grooved further recess, and not diverted into an interior of the component so that the risk of faults in the welded seam along the joins can be severely reduced.

More particularly, the component can have one more outside profiling along a fourth end face of the component, which can be designed according to one or more of the embodiments described above for the further outside profiling of the third end face. More particularly, the fourth end face can be opposite the third end face. The component can thereby be connected on each side to the relevant adjoining components.

More particularly, the outside profiling and the welding structure of the further outside profiling or welding structure of the one more outside profiling can be arranged adjacent one another on a common side half of the component.

More particularly, the further outside profiling and/or the one further outside profiling can have one further welding structure which can be arranged on the third end face and/or the fourth end face and can be designed according to one of the embodiments described above. More particularly, the further welding structure and the one further welding structure can be free of the one further recess of the outside profiling.

More particularly, the component can comprise or be formed of metal, more particularly aluminium or an aluminium alloy. In particular, the component can be extrusion molded in one piece.

The invention relates further to an arrangement, more particularly for a path-bound vehicle, with a component which is described above, wherein the component is welded to a first support element and to a second support element of the path-bound vehicle.

More particularly, the first and second support elements can be formed as longitudinal supports which can be interrupted in the region of a door pillar of the path-bound vehicle in order to free up the entry area to the path-bound vehicle. Alternatively, the first and second support elements can be formed as longitudinal supports and as a door pillar which define the entry area to the path-bound vehicle. The first and second support elements can also be formed as longitudinal supports which can be arranged in a roof area of the path-bound vehicle and allow by way of example a width profiling of a roof of the path-bound vehicle. In these three cases, more particularly the outer surface can represent an exposed outer surface and form a closure for the corresponding support elements. It is likewise possible that the component can be part of an outside cladding of the path-bound vehicle and can be installed between adjacent components and can be covered by these components.

The invention further relates to a path-bound vehicle, with an arrangement, which is described above. More particularly, the path-bound vehicle can be designed as a railed vehicle, more particularly as a train or high-speed train. Alternatively, the path-bound vehicle can be designed as a magnetic monorail or as a hover train.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a component, more particularly for an outside wall cladding of a path-bound vehicle, with extrusion molding of the component from solid material and with an outside profiling on an outer surface of the component and sawing or milling of a first end face and a second end face of the component opposite the first end face, wherein the first end face and the second end face extend crosswise, more particularly perpendicularly to the outer surface.

More particularly, the first and second end faces can be sawn or milled simultaneously or in any sequence one after the other.

The method can furthermore comprise machining the outside profiling, the further outside profiling and/or the one further outside profiling of the extrusion-molded component, more particularly before or after sawing or milling the first and second end faces. By way of example, during machining, the corresponding surface of the component can be smoothed, polished or shaped by means of filing.

More particularly, the method can comprise further machining at least one end face of the group consisting of the first end face, the second end face, the third end face and the fourth end face, more particularly by means of one of the aforementioned measures.

The embodiments described above with reference to the component according to the invention, the arrangement according to the invention, the path-bound vehicle according to the invention and the method according to the invention, also apply for the respective other objects according to the invention.

The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above as well as the manner in which these are achieved will become clearer and more comprehensible in conjunction with the following description of the embodiments which are explained in further detail in conjunction with the drawings. The features outlined below represent both each individually and also in combination one aspect of the invention. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 an arrangement for a high-speed train according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of the arrangement along a line II-II in FIG. 1.

An arrangement 10 of a high-speed train 12 according to one embodiment has a first component 14, a second component 16, first to third support elements 18, 20, 22 and a door pillar 24. The first and second support elements 18, 20 are designed in the form of longitudinal beams which extend along a longitudinal extension of the high-speed train 12 and are interrupted in an entry area 25 to the high-speed train 12 which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 by means of steps. The first and second longitudinal supports 18, 20 abut the door pillar 24 or the third support element 22 likewise designed as a longitudinal beam and defining the entry area 25.

The first component 14 shown in detail in FIG. 2 comprises a substantially block-shaped body 26 of solid aluminium material and is made by means of extrusion molding. A first outer surface 28 of the body 26 has an outside profiling 30 which is formed by a first section 32 and a second section 34 of the first outer surface 28 and a recess 36 of the outside profiling 30. The first section 32, the second section 34 and the recess 36 extend along a complete longitudinal extension of the first component 14 from a flat first end face 37 of the first component 14 up to a flat second end face 38 of the first component 14 which are both produced by milling.

The first section 32 and the second section 34 extend in different planes and are inclined respectively by an angle α of about 1 degree and an angle β of about 2 degrees relative to a second outer surface 39 of the body 26 opposite the first outer surface 28. The second outer surface 39 runs approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the first and second longitudinal supports 18, 20.

The recess 36 tapers toward an interior 40 of the body 26 and has a first boundary wall 42 and a second boundary wall 44 which are arranged adjacent to the first section 32 and to the second section 34 respectively. The first boundary wall 42 is curved concavely in the direction of the interior 40, whilst the second boundary wall 44 is flat and is inclined at an angle γ of about 48 degrees relative to a vertical which runs substantially parallel to the second outer surface 39. A depth T1 of the recess 36 is measured perpendicular between a bottom 45 of the recess 36 which is approached by a reference plane 46 running parallel to the second outer surface 39, and a first outer edge section 48, formed as a rim, of an outer edge 50 of the recess 36. The depth T1 is smaller than a second depth T2 of the recess 36 which is measured perpendicular between the bottom 45 or reference plane 46 and a second edge section 52, formed as a rim, of the edge 50 of the recess 36. The edge 50 has in addition to the first and second edge sections 48, 52, a third and fourth edge section 54, 56 which represent the rims of the first and second end faces 37, 38 of the component 14.

A third end face 62 of the body 26 is designed flat and extends at about 90 degrees to the second outer surface 39. An outside profiling 63 with a first and second welding structure 64, 66 is introduced in the third end face 62. The first and second welding structures 64, 66 are arranged adjacent the first section 32 of the outer surface 28 and the second outer surface 39 respectively. The first welding structure 64 has a chamfer 68 which is part of the third end face 62 and defines the third end face 62 from the second section 32 of the first outer surface 28. A grooved first recess 70 is inserted into the end face 62 adjacent the chamfer 68. A second recess 72 which has a rectangular cross section which is constant along its depth, is inserted into the end face 62 adjacent the grooved first recess 70 on a side of the grooved first recess 70 remote from the chamfer 68. A width of the recess 72 measured perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the first and second surfaces 28, 39 and parallel to the depth direction of the recess 36, corresponds roughly to the depth T1 and is half as large as a width of the recess 36 measured between the first and second edge sections 48, 52. The second welding structure 66 has a chamfer 74 which represents a part of the third end face 62 and defines the third end face 62 from the second outer surface 39.

A grooved recess 76 is inserted into the third end face 62 between the chamfer 74 and the recess 72.

A fourth end face 78 of the body 26 opposite the third end face 62 is designed flat and extends at an angle of about 90 degrees to the second outer surface 39. Furthermore, the fourth end face 78 has an outside profiling 79 with a first and second welding structure 80, 82 which, seen relative to a width direction of the first component 14, lie opposite one another and which, relative to a height direction of the first component 14, lie opposite the welding structures 64 and 66 respectively of the third end face 62. The welding structure 80 has a chamfer 84 which forms a part of the end face 78 and closes the fourth end face 78 from the second section 34 of the first outer surface 28. A grooved first recess 86 is inserted in the fourth end face 78 between the chamfer 84 and a second recess 88 formed in the fourth end face 78. A chamfer 90 of the welding structure 82 is arranged adjacent a grooved recess 92 of the welding structure 82 and defines the fourth end face 78 from the second outer surface 39. The grooved recess 92 is arranged directly adjacent the recess 88. A width of the recess 88 corresponds to a width of the recess 72. A depth of the recess 88 is about double the size of a depth of the recess 72.

The second component 16 of the arrangement 10 is formed similarly to the component 14 of the arrangement 10. However a body 94 of the component 16 tapers in the direction of the entry area 25 of the high-speed train 12 by about 4 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction of the first component 14. A first section 96 of the first outer surface 98 of the second component 16 provided with an outside profiling 97 has a greater width than the section 32 of the first outer surface 28 of the first component 14. A length of the second component 16 measured along the longitudinal extension of the high-speed train 12 is less than a corresponding length of the first component 14 and less than the width of the second component 16.

In a method for manufacturing the first component 14, according to one embodiment the body 26 of the component 14 is extrusion-molded from aluminium. The outside profilings 30, 63, 79 of the first component 14 are created during the extrusion process. Following this, the first component 14 is cut to length, with the first and second end faces 37, 38 of the first component 14 being cut by means of milling. The outside profilings 30, 63, 79 are made free of further machining or in other words the outside profilings 30, 63, 79 are not machined further.

Following this, the first component 14 is arranged between the first longitudinal support 18 and the second longitudinal support 20 so that the first outer surface 28 represents an exposed surface of the first component 14 and the second outer surface 39 represents a rear concealed surface of the first component 14 in its installed position. The third end face 62 of the first component 14 corresponds in the installed state of the first component 14 to an upper end face of the first component 14, and the fourth end face of the component 14 corresponds to a lower end face of the first component 14. The first component 14 is welded to the first and second longitudinal supports 18, 20 whereby welding material is filled into the grooved recesses 70, 76, 86, 92 of the welding structures 64, 66, 80, 82 and applied to the chamfers 68, 74, 84, 90 of the welding structures 64, 66, 80, 82, and then heated.

A method for manufacturing the second component 16 according to a further embodiment is carried out in a similar way to the method for manufacturing the first component 14. The component 16 is however extrusion-molded from an aluminium alloy with the corresponding outside profilings 79. The second component 16 is then welded between the door pillar 22 and the third support element 20 by using corresponding welding structures of the second component 16.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail through the preferred embodiment, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the protection scope of the invention. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A component, comprising: a solid extrusion-molded material having an outer surface with an outside profiling and first and second mutually opposite sawed or milled end faces extended crosswise to said outer surface.
 12. The component according to claim 11, wherein the component is part of an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle.
 13. The component according to claim 11, wherein said first and second mutually opposite end faces extend perpendicularly to said outer surface.
 14. The component according to claim 11, which further comprises an elongated body, said outer surface being a longitudinal face of said elongated body and said first and second end faces being transverse faces of said elongated body.
 15. The component according to claim 11, wherein said outside profiling has a recess introduced into said outer surface and extended from said first end face to said second end face.
 16. The component according to claim 15, which further comprises: a component interior; said recess tapering in a direction toward said component interior; said recess having a first concavely curved boundary wall extending from said first end face to said second end face; and said recess having a second flat boundary wall extending from said first end face to said second end face.
 17. The component according to claim 15, wherein said recess has: a bottom; an edge defining said recess; first and second outer edge sections of said edge; a first depth measured from said first outer edge section to said bottom; and a second depth measured from said second outer edge section to said bottom being different from said first depth.
 18. The component according to claim 11, which further comprises: a third end face having a further outside profiling and an outer edge section; said further outside profiling having a welding structure including a chamfer on said outer edge section of said third end face and a grooved further recess formed in said third end face adjacent said chamfer; and said chamfer and said grooved further recess extending from said first end face to said second end face.
 19. The component according to claim 18, wherein said welding structure has a further recess in said third end face, said further recess is introduced into said third end face on a side of said grooved further recess remote from said chamfer and extends from said first end face to said second end face.
 20. A configuration, more particularly for a path-bound vehicle, the configuration comprising: a first support element; a second support element; and a component according to claim 11 being welded to said first support element and to said second support element.
 21. The configuration according to claim 20, wherein the configuration is part of a path-bound vehicle.
 22. A method for manufacturing a component, the method comprising the following steps: extrusion-molding a solid material to form an outer surface of the component with an outside profiling; and sawing or milling mutually opposite first and second end faces of the component extended crosswise to the outer surface.
 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the component is part of an outside cladding of a path-bound vehicle.
 24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first and second end faces of the component extend perpendicularly to the outer surface.
 25. The method according to claim 22, which further comprises machining the outside profiling of the extrusion-molded component. 